Final answer:
The answer to the statement, "It is acceptable to change two components of a single behavior in one shaping schedule," is generally False. In behavioral psychology, it is crucial to modify only one aspect of a behavior at a time during shaping to ensure clarity and effective reinforcement.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of behavioral psychology, shaping is a technique used to teach new behaviors by reinforcing successive approximations towards a target behavior. It involves positively reinforcing closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior, often starting from a behavior the subject already exhibits.
When considering the statement, "It is acceptable to change two components of a single behavior in one shaping schedule," the answer would generally be False. Shaping should typically focus on altering or reinforcing one specific aspect of a behavior at a time to avoid confusion and ensure clear communication of what behavior is being reinforced. Changing two components at once can be challenging and may not yield clear results or effective learning.
It is essential in a shaping schedule to provide clear and consistent reinforcement for each step towards the desired behavior, thus allowing the individual to understand what is expected. By only modifying one component at a time, trainers or behaviorists can more accurately discern the effectiveness of their reinforcement and make necessary adjustments.